Real Marriage DVD-Based Study Kit
The Truth About Sex, Friendship, and Life Together
by Mark and Grace Driscoll
When I first agreed to review this DVD series I wasn't paying as much attention to who wrote it as much as I was focused on the topic. So it didn't occur to me that the authors, Mark and Grace Driscoll, were at the top of the "controversial" list these days. With that being said, my review is completely independent of any strong opinions that seem to be floating around about Driscoll and his theology. I also recognize that not being married also affects the relevance of this particular series for me, but I felt I should still be able to learn from it.
This DVD-series is made up of 11 chapters with each session lasting no more than 15 minutes. They talk about marriage as friendship, men's role in marriage, women's role in marriage, grace, sex and even porn and it's effect on a marriage. In theory this should have been a great series. I often believe that people are not as open or honest about real marriage - the good, bad and ugly associated with it. While I know that marriage is hard I thought why not hear from some long-time married folks about what it's really like to be married. And I think that the Driscoll's gave an honest perspective of their marriage. What they failed to do was present an engaging or even Biblically-based account of marriage. Scripture is mentioned throughout. And it might have been in context had I actually read the book that should accompany this series but it was not available to me. I do not think at this point it would be worth reviewing either as I didn't find myself in agreement with their thoughts and knowing more about the controvery surrounding the Driscoll's I find it difficult to respect what they have to say about a God-honoring marriage.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
1 comments:
I am actually in the middle of reading the book. Please note that I have not watched the DVDs... again, I am only in the middle of the book and happened to stumble upon and listened to a podcast/message that Mark Driscoll did for potential church planters for his Acts 29 ministry. I was very leery about reading, let alone purchasing the book due to the mixed and often critical reviews of the book. I eventually did decide to get a copy of the book for my wife and I and you make some very valid points. The one thing (so far) that I have taken away from the book is that it is refreshing that my wife and I are not the only ones who have struggled with some of the things that Mark and Grace Driscoll struggled with earlier in their marriage. With that being said, they also brought about some remedies that worked in their marriage that did speak to me. Are they rooted in Biblical theology... not really. I do think the remedies in the book are more focused on how to get your house in order with a Christ centered view. For example, in Chapter 3, which is a chapter 'just for men', the overall tone/theme I got from it was for husbands and/or fathers to 'man up'. In the chapter, Driscoll gives pointers on how to better your wife and children by 'manning up'. The useful tidbit I took from that chapter was contractual marriage vs. covenant marriage. Really ever since I had been married I have treated my marriage as if it were a business deal, always looking to see if my wife had kept her end of the contract and taking care of her daily 'checklist'. I have come to realize that we are more of a covenant - a loving agreement that bonds me and my wife into one. Obviously there is more to it, but that is the gist.
I got off track a little... sorry. Being in the middle of the book, I see it as an autobiographical look at the Driscoll's marriage and what went wrong, what remediation steps they made to make their marriage greater, with some biblical references. It is not rooted in biblical theology, but I think it would help those husband/wives who have gone through a lot of what they did in their marriage...which is a good thing or else I would have wasted money on the book!
Keep in mind I am only in the 'Marriage' section of the book and not in the 'Sex' portion of the book, which is where a lot of the publicity and the criticism has come from.
Post a Comment